A diverse group of citizens came together Saturday, Oct. 7, to discuss the conduct of local law enforcement officers and other community concerns. The discussion touched on several issues, however, police misconduct and abuse of authority was of primary concern.
A second public discussion has been scheduled. The meeting will take place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, in the conference room at Redbud Library on Burns Valley Road in Clearlake. For more information contact David or Page Davis at 994-0749.
About a dozen people joined the discussion held in the Redbud Library conference room on Oct. 7. Most present shared stories related to police harassment and abuse of authority.
A concern common among those in attendance was the “singling out” and harassment of citizens. Speakers conveyed a fear for leaving their homes as they claimed they and/or their family members are constantly followed and harassed by local law enforcement officers. Some described expensive legal battles that ultimately ended in exoneration of charges, while others shared experiences with their ongoing battles with local authorities.
Currently, David Davis, who organized the discussion along with his wife, Page, is seeking those who would like to participate in a Class Action suit against the Clearlake Police Department. A San Francisco-based attorney has agreed to take the case, according to David Davis.
The Davises claim that they have been the target of police harassment. Between the two of them, five tickets have been issued for incidents occurring on three days. Offenses include such violations as driving without a license for Page Davis and for not signaling. Another ticket issued to David Davis is for a seat belt violation, for which he said he was taken from the vehicle and placed in hand cuffs. Treatment by the officers had triggered an asthma attack, he said, for which emergency medical response had to be summoned. All but one of the Davises” tickets are issued by the same officer.
“Every time I leave my house I expect to get pulled over,” David Davis said. “I”m to the point right now where I feel unsafe. Clearlake does need police officers, but the right kind of police officers.”
Another gentleman in attendance claimed he was pulled over 26 times during his first year of residency in Clearlake. He said that he was told “We don”t like your kind up here” ? a statement David Davis claims he was told as well.
Other incidents shared included one woman”s claim that people leaving her daughter”s house from a private roadway were constantly being pulled over and ticketed for not using a turn signal. Another complaint was voiced by a member of a motorcycle club who said that he was told that he was “not allowed to wear that patch in this town.”
For more information contact David or Page Davis at 994-0749.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
